City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING MARCH 11, 2025 The City Council of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, met in Regular session in Council Chambers, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, March 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM Council President, Don Williams called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Jeff Free Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Don Williams, Honorable Councilors, David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Jeffery Darby, Brian Hammons, Jeff Free and Vince Maggio Also Present: Mayor, Thomas Chandler, City Attorney, Charles Jacobs, and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw read the statement about decorum during the meeting and public participation in the meeting. Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests Robert Berry, representing Coburn’s Supply spoke about the growth of the company in Bossier City and across the United States and that their upcoming Conference will be coming to Bossier City. He also spoke about all the good things Bossier City has to offer including a top-notch Fire and Police Departments and the growth of Bossier City. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve the agenda Seconded by Mr. Hammons No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve minutes of February 25, 2025, and dispense with reading. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids Witness Opening of Sealed Bids for Bid P25-03 On-Demand Concrete Repairs Public Works Purchasing Agent Denna Beauchemin opened and read the following bids: A&H Building and Construction $889,850.00 Dale’s Paving $832,845.00 James R. Martin Building & Remodeling, LLC $885,050.00 RVP Construction, Inc. $875,777.00 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearings/Actions on Unfinished Business: The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 30 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($2,500,000.00) FROM THE 2025 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES CAPITAL FUND TO BUILD A VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BUILDING/GARAGE FOR THE BOSSIER CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT. ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Bossier Fire Department is in need of a vehicle maintenance building / garage to be erected at the Shed Road Bossier City Fire Department Training Center; and WHEREAS, the engine bay ramp located at Bossier City Fire Department Station 9 is in immediate need of structural repair; and WHERAS, the existing pump pit located at the Shed Road Bossier City Fire Department Training Center is in need of renovation in order to upgrade the capacity of said pit to be capable of performing a minimum two thousand (2,000) gallon per minute pump test; and WHEREAS, the estimated cost of the three above described projects is two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) and the Emergency Medical Services Capital Fund contains sufficient funds to fund all three projects. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby appropriate and the Bossier City Fire Department is hereby authorized to utilize and expend two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) from the 2025 Emergency Medical Services Capital Fund for the completion of the above described projects. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2025 Emergency Medical Services Capital Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for the above described projects by $2,500,000 and decrease Fund Balance by $2,500,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion by Mr. Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 11th, day of March 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 19, 2025, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 31 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MAYOR THOMAS H. CHANDLER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT WITH BEAST ENGINEERING TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BENTON ROAD (LA 3). WHEREAS; Ordinance 142 of 2024 appropriated $1,500,000 for the 2024 Citywide Street Improvements; and WHEREAS; additionally, the City is in receipt of $1,675,000 in grant funding from the State to specifically targeted for improvements to Benton Road (LA 3); and WHEREAS; Implementation of this work requires timely and detailed design drawings and associated administrative efforts to comply with the grant process and public procurement regulations; and WHEREAS; Beast Engineering has provided a proposal in the amount of $60,000.00 for providing design services for the project; and  WHEREAS; Additional services will be required for Construction Administration, Materials Testing, and Inspection once construction commences; and WHEREAS; the fees associated for these services will be developed upon award of the construction contract and are estimated at $90,000.00 and will be appropriated using the referenced funding. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, authorizes Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to enter into the attached agreement with Beast Engineering for the purposes of providing design, construction administration, and inspection services for the 2025 Citywide Street Improvements Project. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Ordinance. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on this the 11th, day of March 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 19, 2025, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 32 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO CONTRACT WITH BEAST ENGINEERING TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE 2025 CITYWIDE STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. WHEREAS; Ordinance 142 of 2024 appropriated $1,500,000 for the 2025 Citywide Street Improvements; and WHEREAS; Beast Engineering has provided a proposal in the amount of $70,000.00 for providing design services for the project; and WHEREAS; Additional services will be required for Construction Administration and Inspection once construction commences; and WHEREAS; the fees associated for these services will be developed upon award of the construction contract and are estimated at $60,000.00 and will be appropriated using the referenced funding. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, authorizes to enter into an agreement with Beast Engineering for the purposes of providing design, construction administration, and inspection services for the 2025 Citywide Street Improvements Project. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Ordinance. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free and adopted on this the 11th, day of March 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 19, 2025, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 33 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE WHEREBY THE BOSSIER CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO RENEW THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CONVENTION AND TOURIST BUREAU TO DEDICATE AND USE THE PROCEEDS FROM THE HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BOSSIER CITY’S CIVIC CENTER, A MULTIPURPOSE ARENA, AND FOR RIVERFRONT AND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT. WHEREAS; the Louisiana Legislature, in the 2024 regular session, reauthorized and enacted Revised Statute 33:4574.1.1 which authorizes the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau (“Bureau”) to dedicate and use the proceeds derived from ¾ of 1% of the hotel/motel occupancy tax levied by the Bureau exclusively for the operation and maintenance of the Civic Center, a multi-purpose arena in the City of Bossier City, namely the Brookshire Grocery Arena, and for riverfront and downtown development; and WHEREAS; the Bureau has, by its adoption of Ordinance Number 24-1, levied the said additional hotel/motel occupancy tax and dedicated the proceeds derived therefrom in the manner described above; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, hereby authorizes the Mayor to enter into and renew the attached cooperative endeavor agreement with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on this the 11th, day of March 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 19, 2025, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 34 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN ($595,816.00) FROM THE 2018 LCDA BOND FUND TO CONSTRUCT A SHOOT HOUSE AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS AT THE SHOOTING RANGE. ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Bossier City Police Department is in need of an additional training infrastructure in order that Bossier City Police Department officers may be adequately trained and prepared to enter into and secure a residential and/or commercial structure in the course of an active shooter situation i.e. a “shoot house.” WHEREAS, the 2018 LCDA Bond Fund possesses the remaining balance of $595,816.00; and WHEREAS, the construction of above described infrastructure (commonly referred to as a “shoot house”) is a permitted use of said funds; and WHEREAS, public safety being of the highest priority to the Mayor of the City of Bossier City, the City Council of Bossier City and the citizens of the City of Bossier and this training infrastructure being necessary to improve the response of the Bossier City Police Department to an active shooter incident; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened FIVE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTEEN ($595,816.00) is hereby appropriated from the 2018 LCDA Bond Fund to construct a shoot house and other improvements at the shooting range. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 11th, day of March 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 19, 2025, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 35 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SAFETY DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT TO REPLACE 2 GRAVITY SEWER MANHOLES AND 190LF OF THE 42 INCH INFLUENT GRAVITY MAIN TO THE NEWWTP THAT COLLAPSED AT A COST OF $689,092.22 TO COME FROM SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND. WHEREAS, gravity sewer manhole’s are critical infrastructure in Bossier’s wastewater collection system, and WHEREAS, the Manhole jars were corroded and collapsed from excessive use and H2S exposure; and WHEREAS, the 25ft deep 42” concrete gravity main connecting two of these manholes corroded from years of excessive use and H2S exposure preventing a repair to existing main, and WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Department needed emergency support to replace these sewer manholes and gravity main; and WHEREAS, the scope of work involved is beyond the Utility Department’s capabilities due to the size and scale of the equipment, material, and labor required; and WHEREAS, it will cost $689,092.22 in labor, equipment, and materials to complete the repair efforts; and WHEREAS, $689,092.22 shall be appropriated from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, does hereby declare that an emergency exists and authorizes the Mayor to appropriate $689,092.22 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to be used for the purpose of replacing and repairing gravity sewer manholes; and authorizes the City to enter into any necessary contracts for completion of the work. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Ordinance. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2025 Sewer Capital and Contingency Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for required repairs by $689,092.22 and decrease Fund Balance by $689,092.22. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on this the 11th, day of March 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance become legal immediately AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 36 Of 2025  AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SAFETY DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT TO REROUTE AND REPLACE THE GRAVITY SEWER SYSTEM ALONG CLOVIS ST. THAT COLLAPSED AT A COST OF $395,020.00 TO COME FROM SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND. WHEREAS, gravity sewer mains and manhole’s are critical infrastructure in Bossier’s wastewater collection system collapsed from excessive use and corroded materials; and WHEREAS, the alignment of the existing concrete gravity mains ran underneath several buildings along Clovis St. had begun to collapse on itself and pull away from manholes causing sinkholes and sanitary sewer overflows, and WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Department needed emergency support to replace these sewer mains and manholes; and WHEREAS, the scope of work involved is beyond the Utility Department’s capabilities due to the size and scale of the equipment, material, and labor required; and WHEREAS, it will cost $395,020.00 in labor, equipment, and materials to complete the repair efforts; and WHEREAS, $395,020.00 shall be appropriated from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, does hereby declare that an emergency exists and authorizes the Mayor to appropriate $395,020.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to be used for the purpose of replacing and repairing gravity sewer manholes; and authorizes the City to enter into any necessary contracts for completion of the work. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Ordinance. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2025 Sewer Capital and Contingency Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for required repairs by $395,020.00 and decrease Fund Balance by $395,020.00. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on this the 11th, day of March 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 19, 2025, and further this Ordinance will become legal immediately AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending ordinance 107 of 2023 to transfer the surplus funding available for final design and completion of LDEQ Funding Application for South Bossier Sewer Improvements Second by Mr. Smith Mr. Hammons and Ms. Nottingham discussed this item Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item called: Introduce an Ordinance appropriating $400,000 from the Riverboat Gaming Capital Project Fund for the Riverview Sewer Lift Station Generator Project. Council members discussed with City Engineer, Ben Rauschenbach and Finance Director, Angela Williamson about the funding source and the need to keep the Riverboat Gaming Capital Project Fund for future incentives for Businesses wanting to come into city and to only use for Capital for capital projects and to take this from Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund since it is a water and sewer project. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr.  Motion to amend the presented Ordinance to change the funding source of the Ordinance from Riverboat Gaming Capital Project Fund to Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund. Second by Mr. Smith No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance as amended appropriating $400,000 from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund for the Riverview Sewer Lift Station Generator Project. Seconded by Mr. Smith No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute an agreement between the City of Bossier City and Lumen Technologies Group to upgrade existing circuits and increase bandwidth to meet the operational requirements at the Public Works Complex. Second by Mr. Smith Mr. Hammons and Ms. Williamson discussed the financial increase and the current budget. No further comments Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached cooperative endeavor agreement with the City of Bossier City and LSU AgCenter. Second by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Darby Motion to introduce an Ordinance to contract with Waggoner Engineering to provide design services for the Streetscape Improvements on Northgate Road in conjunction with the LADOTD Transportation Alternatives Program Grant. Second by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to renovate the City Hall Council Chambers Second by Mr. Darby Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Rauschenbach discussed that this would make sure this would allow the walls to be checked for anything harmful. Mr. Hammons explained why this project is needed. Motion carries with the following vote: Yeas – Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays – Mr. Smith Absent – none Abstain – none Agenda item called: Adopt a Resolution providing notice of the intent of the City of Bossier City to renegotiate the joint agreement for collection of sales and use taxes between the City of Bossier City and the Bossier Parish School Board. Mr. Hammons asked that this be continued until April 8th to get more clarity and Mr. Williams asked for the Mayor to set up meetings to allow Council members to better understand. Council members discussed with City Attorney Charles Jacobs, and Finance Director Angela Williamson, about the need for this Resolution to renegotiate with the School Board, how the City has handled this collection process over the last 35 years and the recent dialog with the School Board concerning this matter thus far. They also spoke about the fact that the School Board wanting to renegotiate. Audience member Wes Marriot, expressed his concerns over the Resolution and asked Council not to adopt. By: Mr. Smith Motion to amend Resolution by deleting all paragraphs in the presented Resolution except 1, 2, 3 and the last two. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 15 OF 2025 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SERGEANT POSITIONS BY ONE AND DECREASE THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICER POSITIONS BY ONE ON A TEMPORARY BASIS ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 63 of 2023 requires the Bossier City Police Department to obtain a resolution approved by the Bossier City Council for any additional positions, promotions or increase in manning listed in Exhibit A to the ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Police Department has one Sergeant out on Civil Service sick leave; and WHEREAS, the Police Department needs one additional Sergeant on patrol on a temporary basis during the period of sick leave to keep up with the demands of the Department and ensure the safety of the Citizens of Bossier; and WHEREAS, during this period Police Officer positions will decrease by one resulting no change in the total manning of the department; and WHEREAS, this temporary increase in Sergeant positions and decrease Police Officer positions is not expected to result in a budget overage. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the Police Department is authorized to increase the number of Sergeant positions by one and decrease the number of Police Officer positions by one on a temporary basis and to promote one Police Officer to Sergeant. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Brian Hammons and seconded by Mr. Jeffery Darby and adopted on this the 11th day of March, 2025, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free, and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________________ _______________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Williams adjourned the meeting at 3:45PM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish March 19, 2025